Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder targets three signings next week as he predicts transfer market 'explosion'

The Blades are looking to add depth and competition to the squad, with the wing-back positions, central midfield and centre-forward their main focus.

Having recently said he was looking for four new faces, manager Wilder has now upgraded that to five, but he is not expecting much progress whilst players are away on international duty. Instead, he is hoping three might come in once those matches are completed.

There are Nations League fixtures from Thursday until Tuesday, and with the transfer window open into October, Wilder is resigned to not getting all his new players in by the first game of the season, at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on September 14.

“A sign of some of the players that we are in for is the fact they are internationals and I don't think a lot is going to be done this week all across the board,” he said.

"I am expecting an explosion of signings next week, hopefully. I am comfortable with it. We have got offers out there, we are talking and hopefully when boys come back from international duty we can start unveiling them as Sheffield United players.

"In an ideal world we want them in for Wolves but it might be that two come in late after the start and if that's the case for the benefit of the football club then we will go down that road.

"We are looking at five players but if somebody doesn't come off we'll move our attention but it's a dance that we have to go through, a process. We are working as hard as any football club.

"We are down the line with a couple of loans and a couple of bids and there is another situation that we are exploring.

"If you didn't have this break I should imagine there would be signings at the majority of clubs in the Premier League and that includes us.

"That has been put on hold but discussions are still ongoing between clubs, agents and players and I can only say when the window shuts do I believe we will be better than the start of last year? For me that is most definitely yes.

"That will encourage me enormously."

So far this summer the Blades have signed Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who will replace Dean Henderson, back at Manchester United after consecutive season-long loans, and Wes Foderingham, who will back him up. Centre-backs Phil Jagielka and Jack Rodwell signed new contracts after their deals expired at the end of the season.

They have an interest in uncapped Reading midfielder John Swift and have also been linked with his Ivorian team-mate Yakou Meite, plus Liverpool's Rhian Brewster, who is in the England Under-21 squad and could be a loan option. Both are versatile forwards.

Targets Matty Cash and Antonee Robinson have moved elsewhere.

Wilder is also hopeful midfielder John Lundstram and centre-back Jack O'Connell could feature in their first matches of pre-season at home to Preston North End on Friday.

"Lunny will be involved on Friday and we are hopeful that Jack will be involved, too,” he confirmed. Oli McBurnie featured in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Derby County with Scotland manager Steve Clarke's consent having pulled out of international duty because of his fitness.

O'Connell was an ever present until the coronavirus lockdown last season and although Jack Robinson deputised well at the start of the resumption, he was missed. Lundstram was another key performer in 2020-21 but his Bramall Lane future is uncertain as he has entered the final 12 months of his contract, and the Blades are prepared to sell now at the right price rather than risk losing him on a free transfer next summer.

The transfer window is open until October 5, but clubs can trade with the Football League for a further week afterwards.

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